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Toyota will help to fill the void created when Peugeot left the WEC in January. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

WEC: Toyota to compete in most races

February 14, 2012

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The way has been cleared for Toyota to compete in the majority of this year’s new FIA World Endurance Championship, after the FIA this week ratified new rules that say only one rather than two cars will score points in the LMP1 manufacturers’ championship—and only the best six results from the season’s eight races will count toward the championship.

The points-scoring system is part of a compromise necessary to persuade Toyota to register for the championship and expand its participation.

The new arrangement was hashed out in the wake of Peugeot’s decision not to enter the WEC, which left the series promoter, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, facing a shortfall of manufacturer entries in LMP1. The rules state that it can only award the world title if there are two manufacturers registered for the full championship.

“The changes were requested following the withdrawal of Peugeot from the FIA WEC last month and were agreed by all parties,” series boss Gerard Neveu said. “[The rules] will allow Toyota to fight with Audi for the inaugural WEC manufacturer’s title.”

Toyota had planned to field its new TS030 hybrid in two or three races in addition to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It will now contest a minimum of six rounds.

However, Toyota will miss the opening WEC round, the 12 Hours of Sebring in Florida next month, before fielding a single-car entry at the Spa-Francorchamps race in May. It will enter two cars at Le Mans and is expected to run just one car at the remaining events it contests, with the exception of its home event at Fuji in Japan.